In an unprecedented attack on Saturday, Iran launched hundreds of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at Israel. However, Israel, aided by the US and the UK, managed to intercept a staggering 99 per cent of the incoming projectiles, showcasing the effectiveness of its sophisticated, multi-layered missile defence system.
The attack, the most serious multi-front assault on Israel in decades, saw Iran launch a total of 330 projectiles, including 30 cruise missiles, 120 ballistic missiles, and a record-breaking 170 drones. The missiles originated from Iran itself, as well as launch sites in Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon.
“At one point, we were tracking over 100 ballistic missiles in the sky,” revealed a US official, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the attack.
Iron Dome fends off massive drone swarm
Despite the overwhelming numbers, Israel, with crucial support from the US and the RAF, claims to have successfully intercepted nearly all the Iranian projectiles.
Israel’s famed Iron Dome missile defence system played a pivotal role, effectively fending off the massive drone attack.
Since its deployment in 2011, Iron Dome has become a symbol of Israel’s defence capabilities, successfully protecting the country from rockets launched by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah.
The Iron Dome system serves as the first line of defence, utilising advanced radar to detect incoming projectiles and a sophisticated command-and-control system to assess threats. If a threat is identified, Iron Dome launches interceptor missiles to destroy the projectile in mid-air.
Arrow System takes down ballistic missiles
While Iron Dome tackled the drone threat, Israel also deployed its advanced Arrow Weapon System (AWS) to counter the ballistic missile threat.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesperson, confirmed that Arrow 3, the latest iteration of the system, had “proved itself against a significant number of ballistic missiles” launched by Iran.
The Arrow system, specifically designed with the Iranian missile threat in mind, is a long-range defence system capable of intercepting ballistic missiles outside the Earth’s atmosphere. It utilises a detachable warhead that collides with and destroys the incoming missile.
Dramatic footage believed to capture an “exoatmospheric” interception of a ballistic missile by the Arrow system circulated on Sunday morning.
David’s Sling
Israel further bolstered its defences by activating the David’s Sling system, a mid-range defence system designed to intercept ballistic missiles launched from medium distances, typically between 100 and 200 km.
Developed jointly by Israel and the US, David’s Sling can also target aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
US support bolsters defence
The United States played a critical role in supporting Israel’s defence. US Central Command reported that US forces successfully destroyed over 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles launched from Iran and Yemen.
Additionally, US Navy ships in the eastern Mediterranean, equipped with the Aegis missile defence system, shot down several ballistic missiles. US warplanes also engaged and destroyed Iranian projectiles, highlighting the coordinated international response to the attack.
Despite the large number of missiles and drones launched, only a few ballistic missiles managed to reach their destination in Israel, causing some damage to a military base and an area in the Negev desert, injuring a Bedouin child.
One Israeli official described the country’s response as “the most complex air defence events recorded”.
(With inputs from Reuters, AFP)
Source Agencies
